Hallstatt; Austria; charnel with painted skulls. The town's charnel; adjacent to the parish church and old cemetery; contains over 600 painted skulls; typically showing the name of the deceased and dates of birth and death; ad some small decorative design. The trend of painting skulls was once common in the Bavaria and small towns in mountainous areas of Switzerland and Austria; but this is only substantial collection still in situ. The crucifix marks what serves as an altar; and the room is dedicated to St. Michael. Photo 2008.